NORTH LIBERTY, IA (IRN) – North Liberty Police say a youth leader at a local church is facing multiple charges, accused of touching several kids who he mentored several years ago. KWWL-TV reports 32-year-old Benjamin Tweedt allegedly asked victims to “play games” in which he inappropriately touched them. The four victims were around 12 or 13 at the time, but now all are older than 18. COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – The search is on for a pit bull in Council Bluffs after a man said the dog killed his Chihuahua. The owner of the Chihuahua said the pit bull had her entire head in his mouth, and there was nothing he could do. The owner adds, “there’s no reason she had to go that way…just no reason…she was my cocoa butter — that’s what I called her, my cocoa butter.” It’s been illegal to own pit bulls in Council Bluffs since 2005. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The family of a Des Moines couple killed while sleeping gathered in a courtroom Wednesday to share their raw anger and pain with the man convicted in their slayings. The Des Moines Register reports a judge found Michael John Wanchanic guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Heather Belieu and Bryon Howard. 12-year-old Devin Taylor, one of Belieu’s sons, said, “I hope the rest of your life is miserable; you’re a coward and I hope you rot in hell…” BUCHANAN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Former “The Bachelor” star Chris Soules called 911 to report his rear-end crash that killed a fellow Iowa farmer, seeking medical help for the man before he left the scene. Soules was arrested later at his Arlington farm several miles away. He was charged with leaving the scene of a deadly crash. IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – A card promoting white supremacy was found at the University of Iowa Library, according to KCRG-TV. Administrators found the card and notified police who removed it. On one side the card reads “America was 90% white in 1950. It is now 60%. Make America Great Again. Trump is the first step. We’re the next.” The other side reads “Alt-Right.” DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A giant rabbit named Simon that died following a United Airlines flight had been purchased by an Iowa group to show in the big rabbit competition at the Iowa State Fair. The Des Moines Business Record reports the rabbit had been sold to Steve Bruere of Norwalk and his partners. Simon was heir to Darius, who held the title of the world’s biggest rabbit at 4 feet, 4 inches long. Simon was expected to outgrow his father.

MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – A Marshalltown man has died in an overnight stabbing. KCCI-TV reports 21-year-old Isaiah Jacob Parker died as a result of a stab wound to his lower torso. His brother, Jordan Scott Parker, was charged with second-degree murder. AURORA, IA (IRN) – A Buchanan County farmer driving his tractor was killed Monday when a pickup truck driven by reality television star Chris Soules struck him from behind. The Des Moines Register reports 35-year-old Soules walked away from the scene and was picked up by an unidentified person. He has been charged with leaving the scene of a deadly crash, a Class D felony. Soules was convicted of drunken driving in 2005. MARSHALLTOWN, IA (IRN) – A Marshalltown woman is recovering from a “horrific” dog attack that left her maimed. WHO-TV reports the 49-year-old woman was attacked by her friend’s pit bull, “Lucky” on March 8. She had reached down near the dog to pick up her cell phone when the dog attacked and ripped her nose off her face. The dog was put down over the owner’s objections, a man with a long criminal history of abuse, assault and drug use. Surgeons were able to re-attach the woman’s nose and she should have minimal scarring. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police have made an arrest in a February homicide. KCCI-TV reports 16-year-old Dequavius Eddie Robinson has been charged with First Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, and First Degree Robbery. Robinson’s 20-year-old victim was found dead, lying on a sidewalk. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Polaris Industries plans to close its plant in the northwest Iowa city of Milford, leaving up to 300 employees out of work. The Sioux City Journal reports the company will stop production of all-terrain and utility vehicles at the Milford plant that had operated since 2013. Production will shift to plants in Alabama, Minnesota and California. WASHINGTON, IA (IRN) – A Washington, Iowa cow gave birth to triplets last week. KCII-radio reports “Eclipse” is a former county fair show heifer described as calm, sweet, and loving. Cows giving birth to triplets are a rare event, and Nancy Adrian, Washington County Extension Director, says the birth is “udderly amazing.” WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – A U.S. Senate committee has scheduled a hearing to consider Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s nomination as ambassador to China. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee announced Tuesday it will hold a hearing May 2 to discuss Branstad’s nomination. Branstad will also need approval from the full Senate. Branstad has served as Iowa’s governor for 23 years.

BUCHANAN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – Chris Soules, former star of “The Bachelor” has been arrested for allegedly leaving the scene of a crash where someone was killed. KWWL reports Soules was booked in connection with a Monday night crash where Soules’ pickup rear-ended a tractor near Aurora and he allegedly fled the scene. RAPID CITY, S.D. (IRN) – Federal officials in South Dakota say 15 people have been indicted for illegally trafficking eagles and other migratory birds after a two-year undercover operation. U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler said Monday the investigation focused on trafficking of eagles and eagle parts such as feathers for profit. The case likely involves hundreds of birds including more than 100 eagles. Seiler described one operation as a “chop-shop for eagles.” Those accused include people from Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Des Moines police are looking for the driver of a pickup involved in a hit-and-run crash last week. KCCI-TV reports the pickup pulled in front of a motorcycle ridden by 29-year-old Wes Crow. Crow tried to stop, but couldn’t slow quickly enough, and suffered several fractured vertebra and a fractured pelvis in the crash. Crow’s family says the driver of the pickup is a coward for fleeing the scene. Police say Crow’s life was saved because he was wearing a very good helmet. DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – No injuries were reported after an armed robbery in Des Moines Monday evening. WHO-TV reports a man robbed a Family Dollar store on the south side of the city at gunpoint. Police combed the area but did not locate a suspect. FAYETTE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accidental shooting that left a 50-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his ankle. KCRG-TV reports Patrick Lynch of Grimes was target shooting with his 25-year-old son on private property near Arlington when a 9mm pistol went off accidentally, hitting Lynch’s ankle. URBANDALE, IA (IRN) – A group of Urbandale elementary school kids are operating a weekend lemonade stand to raise money for local police and the Special Olympics. WOI-TV reports Mason Burkhart, an operator of the stand, says they will soon add cookies and Rice Krispie treats to their offerings.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The body of a man was discovered this morning inside the office of Liederman Bail Bonds just across the street from the Johnson County Jail. KGAN-TV reports police say the circumstances surrounding the death are suspicious. SIOUX CITY, IA (IRN) – A June trial has been scheduled for a Sioux City man accused of using a belt on his daughter after she refused to do laundry. KCCI-TV reports 42-year-old Ricardo Cordova-Larios entered a written plea of not guilty. Court documents say bruises on the 14-year-old girl’s back, neck and upper torso matched the outline of a belt. GRANT COUNTY, WI (IRN) – A Dubuque woman died in a crash in Grant County, Wisconsin on Saturday. KWWL-TV reports the car went off the roadway, landed in a ditch and hit a culvert. Four people were in the car. The driver, 39-year-old Hollie Kelley, was killed, and three others were injured. No one in the car was wearing a seatbelt. DUBUQUE, IA (IRN) – An accidental shooting in Dubuque sent two men to the hospital, according to KCRG-TV. Police said a man was showing his handgun to a friend when it accidentally fired, injuring them both. The men are expected to be OK. WATERLOO, IA (IRN) – A once crumbling bakery in Waterloo that for decades produced Hostess Wonder Bread is now opening as a brewery and restaurant. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that SingleSpeed Brewing Co. had a soft opening Thursday. SingleSpeed owner David Morgan has decorated the facility with various bicycle-themed accessories. MOUNT AYR, IA (IRN) – A Mount Ayr native will receive special recognition today. Astronaut Peggy Whitson will set a new U.S. record for spending the most cumulative days in space. She is also the only woman to serve as a station commander twice. Whitson will receive a congratulatory call in space from President Trump and daughter Ivanka. NASA will be providing live coverage of the event on Facebook and YouTube.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A Des Moines man was shot and killed in front of his three children Friday. KCCI-TV reports 41-year-old Stephen Kim was in the car with his three children, all of whom are under nine, when a robbery attempt turned fatal. Witnesses say four people were involved in the shooting, and that Kim was trying to protect his children when he was “executed.” Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek called the shooting an “act of senseless violence,” and that the Des Moines Police “are not going to rest until we find them.” DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A body was found in the Des Moines river just south of downtown Des Moines yesterday morning, according to WHO-TV. The body has been identified as a 52-year-old male whose name has not been released. An autopsy will take place to determine the victim’s cause and manner of death. CEDAR FALLS, IA (IRN) – A federal judge has ruled in favor of a former Cedar Falls police officer in connection with a 2013 shooting that injured a Parkersburg man. The Courier reports the judge ruled officer Bob Anderson’s use of deadly force was reasonable, and that he had probable cause to believe 30-year-old Zachary Church posed a threat. Anderson found Church asleep in a parked, running car and Church began punching him when confronted. Anderson says he warned Church, then shot him after feeling a tug on his belt. EARTH, (IRN) – Thousands of Iowans joined people all over the world on Saturday’s March for Science. The Des Moines Register reports demonstrators chanted the words “science now!” at the nonpartisan march, which took place at the Iowa State Capitol. Rallies were also held in Iowa City and Dubuque. Organizers counted about 3,000 people in attendance in Des Moines. One man in a lab coat and Einstein wig stood stoic at the front of the crowd, holding a sign reading, “A people cannot exist both ignorant and free.”